By Meghan Clarke

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Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)
By Meghan Clarke
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Background

• The FCCs rules mandate that a digital
  terrestrial tuner be included in all TVs.
• Congress has determined that U.S. broadcast (or
  terrestrial) television services must eventually
  convert completely to digital operation.

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Positive..

• DTV broadcasters will be able to offer television
  with movie-quality pictures and Dolby digital
  surround sound, along with other enhancements
• Consumers will be able to plug a TV set into an
  antenna virtually anywhere in the U.S., and if
  the tuner meets the Advanced Television Systems
  Committees (ATSC) A/74 specification, the TV
  will receive clear digital service.

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Downfall

• Unfortunately, the FCCs ruling on tuners does
  not mandate that the receiver meet the ATSC
  specification, which means consumers must be sure
  to check the performance of the TV they buy.
• If consumers want to receive advanced digital
  cable services such as video-on-demand, the cable
  operators enhanced program guide, or interactive
  data-enhanced television service, they will need
  to purchase a STB (set-top box).

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Questions

• Who has a basic tv that receives basic cable
  channels?
• Do you feel that with the new law calling back
  all of these tvs people will do so?
• Do you think switching all tvs to digital cable
  was a good idea?

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Bibliography

• Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC).
  Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. July 2004. 28 November
  2005. lthttp//dtv.zarlink.com /technology/atsc/gt